Reply letter sheet



March 8, 1960 H. B. JOHNSON `2,927,723

REPLY LETTER SHEET Filed June 4. 195'? 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,8 Frou r /2 im Ave BUF FA Lo. NN f Business nu; lNYeLoPE U fla. 4 B ./f; 44

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l" IN1/EN TOR: 5 HAROLD B..JoHNso- ATTORNEYS.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 8, 1960 H. B. JoHNsoN REPLY LETTER SHEET Filed June 4, 1957 INVENTOR. H/waw Jaim/:wv

BY @4441, Mv

Il l||||||||||1| I|||| IIIIIIIIJ VXIIJVQL REPLY LETTER SHEET Harold B. Johnson, Buffalo, N.Y.

Application June 4, 1957, Serial No. 663,5'45

3 Claims. (Cl. 229-86) This invention relates generally to a letter sheet-adapted Uited States Patent() to be folded to envelope form fo'r mailing, and more letter sheet of this invention comprises certain improve ments over the letter sheets shown in my "earlier Patent 1,960,054, granted May 22, 1934, and this application is a continuation-impart of my application' Serial No. 584,919, filed May 15, 1956, now abandoned.

One object of this invention is to provide a letter sheet of a form facilitating the preparation thereofboth for original mailing and for reply mailing.

Another objectof ,this invention is to provide a reply letter sheet having means facilitating opening thereof bo'th by the original recipient and by the recipient of his reply.

ln one aspect thereof, a letter sheet in .accord with this invention is characterized by the provision of a window panel and a rst address panel foldable against an interposed body panel, and a second address panel carried by the window panel, one face of the second address panel being adapted to be swung against the window and having a designated address space thereo'n, whereby the same can be selectively folded away from the window and against the window for different mailings.

In another aspect thereof, a letter sheet in accord with this invention is characterized by the provision of a reply mailing liap which normally is folded between fa bodyv panel and the window panel and which, for return mailing, is yfolded over the window panel to obscure the original postage and return address thereon.

In still another aspect thereof, a letter sheet'col'istruc't-A ed in accord with this invention is characterized by the,

embodiments thereof, reference being made to the ac-A companying drawing showing such embodiments and Fig. 2 is a frontelevational view 'of the letter sheet of'- Fig. 1 completely folded and ready for original mailing;-

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating one ply `mailstep in* the preparation ofthe letter sheet -for re Mice:

Fig. 4 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2 but showing the letter sheet completely folded for return mailing;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of another form of my novel letter sheet;

Fig. 6 is a rear elevational view thereof folded for original mailing; r

Fig. 7 is a plan view thereof as it appears when opened by the original recipient;

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view thereof folded for return mailing; and

Fig. 9 is a plan view thereof as it appears when opened by the return recipient.

The form of letter sheet in accord with this invention shown in Figs. 1-4 comprises a window panel 1, a body panel 2 and a first address panel 3, the window panel 1 being joined to the body panel 2 along-a fold line 4 and the body panel 2 being joined to the first address panel 3 along a fold line 5. Thus, panels 1, 2 and 3 comprise separate sheets each having an articulated connection to the adjacent panel at the indicated fold lines, although the letter sheet preferably is formed of a single sheet of paper or like material with the fold lines preferably being demarcated as by scoring or perfo'rating.

A tab portion 6 is cut out of window panel 1 to provide a window opening 7 therein which preferably is closed by a sheet 8 of suitable transparent material such as Celluloid. For convenience the term window is used generically herein to include both the aperture alone and the aperture closed by a sheet of substantially trans-v parent material as in the illustrated embodiments.

In a letter sheet in accord with this inventiongth'e window panel 1 comprises 'the front of the envelope both for 'original mailing and for Areturn mailing, and in accord with this invention the window panel 1 always is folded in the same direction about its fold line 4.17For convenience, one face of each of panels 1, 2 and 3 is) designated A and the reverse face thereof is designated B, whereby in accord with the instant invention the face B of window panel 1 is the front face of the envelope both for original mailing and for return mailing. The window panel 1 can have in the upper left hand corner o'f its front face B indicia 10 comprising the name and return address of the original sender.l

The tab 6 on window panel 1 comprises a second address panel and its front face B provides a designated return address space 11 for indicia also comprising the vertising, a statement for services rendered or other matter as indicated by the indicia 16. The bottom of the stub portion 13 can have indicia 17 thereon comprising` directions to the original recipient for preparing the letter sheet for reply mailing.

Window panel 1 is provided at the opposite side edges thereof with flaps 20 joined thereto along fold lines 21 and each having a suitable adhesive on the face A therc- I,

of.` A flap 22 is joined to the upper edge of panel 1 along fold line 23 and also has arsuitable adhesive on its face A. The opposite side edges of bo'dy panel 2 are provided with flaps 24 joined thereto along fold lines 25 and each having a suitable adhesive on the face B thereof.

When preparing the letter sheet for original mailing, the sending address space 15 is filled in with the name 'and address of the original recipient, and the original www communication comprising indicia 16 is typed or written on face B of stub 13. The name and return address of the original sender are placed on face B of window panel at 10, and also in the return address space 11 on tab 6. The first address panel 3 comprising the flap 12 and the stub 13 then is folded about line 5 against the face A of body panel 2, and the flaps 24 on body panel 2 are folded along lines 2S between panels 2 and 3, without adhering to the latter. The tab 6 then is folded away from the window 7, 8 and the window panel 1 is folded about line 4 over the address panel 3, and the designated sending address space 15 is so positioned on address panel 3 that it is visible through the window 7, 8 when the panels 1 and 3 are folded in this manner. The side flaps then are folded along lines 21 about body panel 2 and adhered to the face B thereof, and the flap 22. is folded along line 23 about the top edge of body panel 2 and also caused to adhere to the face B thereof, whereupon the letter sheet is completely folded into original mailing envelope form as illustrated in Fig. 2. Appropriate postage is applied as indicated at 29 and the envelope is ready for original mailing.

The original envelope of Fig. 2 is opened as by cutting along the fold lines 21 and 23, thus severing the aps 20 and 22 from the window panel l and permitting the letter sheet to be unfolded. The recipient then can detach the stub portion 13 by tearing along the line 14, thereby leaving only the flap portion 12 as illustrated in Fig. Il, and it will be noted that the face A of flap portion 12 is provided with a suitable adhesive along the opposite side edges thereof and along the longitudinal edge thereofadjacent line 14, as indicated at 26 and` The letter sheet is prepared` for remailing by inserting the nai-ne and address of the original sender in the space 11A on tab 6, if this has not previously been done, and then folding the tab 6 so that this address appears in the window?, 8. The window panel 1 then is again folded about line 4 against face A of body panel 2, but this time flaps 24, which again are folded inwardly along lines against the face A of body panel 2, are caused to adhere to the opposite side edges of face A of window panel 1 thereby sealing the envelope along the opposite sides thereof. Any enclosure is inserted between window panel 1 and body panel 2, and the reply ilap 12 then is brought over the top of window panel 1 and caused to adhere to the face Bv thereof to completely seal.

the envelope, whereupon the letter sheet is completely folded into return mailing condition as illustrated in Fig. 4.V The name and return address of the original recipient is placed on face B of reply ilap 1 2 at the upper left hand,

corner thereof, as indicated at 28, and the envelope is ready for return mailing` Flap 12 has a threefold purpose, to wit: itl completes the sealing of the envelope; it covers and thereby-obscures the cancelled original postage 29 and the original return address 10; and it provides a space 28 for the name and return address of the original recipient, carries the prepaid postage mark 29 and provides a space 30 for indicia` giving the requisite business reply permit infonnation. Accordingly, flap 12 extends along substantially the entire length of fold line 5, and is of a width such that. it will accomplish the foregoing purposes while avoiding interference with vision through the windowV Therefore, the return reply ap 12 greatly facilitatesuse of the letter sheet for remailing, and because it obscures the cancelled original postage 'Z9 and the orginal return address 10, and thereby permits window panel 1 to be folded in theV samedirection for remailing as for original mailing, it enables the use yof a remailing address panel carried by window panel 1, such as tab 6, with its attendant advantages.

T he second or remailing address panel comprisingtab 6 provides an addpess panelseparate from panel thereby permitting the original recipient to detach and keep the stub portion 13 containing the original communication and still use the letter sheet for reply mailing. It is a feature of my invention that this is accomplished without increasing the size of the letter sheet because tab 6 is the portion cut out of window panel 1 to provide the window opening 7.

Thus, it is seen that the letter sheet of this invention is readily prepared for return mailing with only a very few, simple folding operations. Correct folding into return envelope form is facilitated by providing the return address tab 6 which is simply folded against window 7, 8, by providing the return reply flap 12, and by the fact that the direction of folding remains the same as in the original envelope, whereby a minimum of directions 17 are required.

While not necessary, where the letter sheet is for business use the prepaid postage 29 conveniently can and usually will be printed on ap 12 to promote promptness in replying. Also, it is contemplated that where the letter' sheet is used for business the name and return address of the original sender will be printed on panel lat 10 and in the space 11 on tab 6, and a prompt reply can be made even more convenient, if desired, by typing the name and return address of the original recipient on flap 12 at 28, Ias well as in space 15, at the time of original mailing.

The detachable stub 13 permits the recipient to keep the original communication, and of course can carry an original message on its face A as well as on its face B. The face A of bodyl panel 2 can be reservedv for a reply message or it can be used to carry advertising or other original communication. Also, where the original communication, is lengthy, such as for example a de tailed invoice, stub portion 13 can be extended in length and folded one or more times to fit between panels 1 and 2for original mailing.

As a further convenience both to the original recipient and tothe second recipient I prefer that my letter sheet be provided with tear string means for neatly and easily opening the same. This is desirable, not only because it facilitates. opening of the envelope by each recipient, but also because it insures a neat and precise tearing of the securing flaps in a manner which does not deface the body of the` letter sheet or destroy the portions thereof that itmight be desired to file for future reference.

Figs. 5 9. illustrate a slightly modified form of letter sheet of myv invention, incorporating such tear string means., Asvrin the embodiment of-Figs. l-4, there is providedrawindow panel 1', a, body panel 2' anda first address panel 3', the window panel 1.' being joined to body panel 2 along a fold line 4. and body panel 2' being, joinedn to the rst address panel 3' along a fold line 5and the window panel 1 having a tab portion 6' cutout; therefrom to provide a window opening 7 preferably` closed by a sheet 8 of suitable transparent matcrial; i

Also as in the embodiment of Figs. 1 4, one face of each of panels 1', 2', and 3 is designated A', and the reverse face thereof is designated B', and the face B' of window panel 1 is the front face of the envelope both for original mailing andi for return mailing. If desired,` windowV panel 1 can have,` in the upper left hand cornerof-itsfront face- B', indicia 10 correspondingnqht: lllltratedfi theembodiment of Figs. 1 4,

`andptaifin'f continues tocomprise, a second address panel carrying on its front face-B' a` designated return address.

communication corresponding to that illustrated at 16` in Fig. vl, and the bottom of stub portion IS/canhave indicia thereonl comprising-directions to the original recipient for preparing the letter sheet for reply mailing, corresponding to indicia 17 as illustrated in Fig. 1.y

Window panel 1 again is provided at the opposite side edges thereofwith tlaps20' joined thereto along fold lines 21', each having al suitable adhesive on the face A thereof, and a ap 22 Iis joined tothe upper edge of panel 1 along fold line 23', and also has a suitable adhesive on its faceA.. The opposite side edges ofbody panel 2 ar e ,provided with apsl24' .joined thereto along fold lines 25', each having a suitable adhesive on either the face B' thereof, as in the first embodiment, or on the face A thereof as illustrated in Fig. 5.

In addition, in this embodiment the reply ilap portion 12 is provided with flaps 32 joined to the opposite side edges thereof along fold lines 33, and having suitable adhesive on the face A' thereof.

Further in accord with my invention, this embodiment is provided with means for tearing open the envelope, comprising in the illustrated embodiment a first tear string 35 extending along fold lines 2'1' and 23 continuously from adjacent fold line 4' at one side edge of panel 1 to adjacent fold line 4 at the other side edge thereof, with tear string 35 terminating at its opposite ends in terminal portions 36 adjacent fold line 4'. Second and third tear strings 37 are provided along fold lines 25 at opposite side edges of body panel 2',

each terminating adjacent fold line 5' with terminal portions 38. Each tear string 35, 37 is placed on face A of the respective panels 1 and 2', being glued or otherwise secured thereto, and the tear strings are of nylon or other material suitable for the purpose.

The letter sheet is folded for original `mailing in the same manner as in Figs. 1 and 2, with iirst address panel 3 folded about line 5 against face A of body panel 2', the aps 24 and 32 having been turned in, and with window panel 1 then folded about line 4 over address panel 3', the tab 6' having been folded away from window 7. Side flaps 20 then are folded along lines 2l' and caused to adhere to the face B of Abody panel 2', and flap 22 is folded along line 23 about the top edge of body panel 2 and caused to adhere to the face B thereof, whereby the letter sheet is completely folded into original mailing envelope form, having a rear View appearance as illustrated in Fig, 6.

Fig. 6 shows the back of the envelope, ready for original mailing, for greater clarity' in discussing the manner of opening the same by the original recipient. The opposite ends 36 of tear string 35 are permitted to project slightly with the side flaps 20 being slightly cut away to provide such protrusion of the tear string ends. It will be appreciated that this protrusion is exaggerated in the drawing for ease of illustration, and that in fact only a very slight end, just suicient to be grasped by the user, is required.

The original recipient then takes either tear string end 36, and pulls it outwardly and upwardly to tear oi iirst one side ap 29', then top iiap 22', and then the second side ap 20', whereby the letter sheet then can be opened with these flaps being neatly sheared therefrom as illustrated in Fig. 7. If for any reason tear string should break before its tearing function is completed, it is necessary only to grasp the other end 36, and pull in a reverse vdirection to complete the tearing.

The part 13' can be detached, and the letter sheet is prepared for remailing in substantially the same manner as the first embodiment, with tab 6' being folded into window 7' and with window panel 1 then being folded about line 4 against face A of body panel 2. Side flaps 24 then are folded about lines 25' and caused to adhere to the face B' of window panel 1', as illustrated in Fig. 8, and the reply portion 12' is folded about the upper edge of window panel 1', with its side flaps 32 then being folded about lines 33 and caused to adhere' to the face B' of body panel 2' to complete the sealing,"

flaps 32 being folded rearwardly from the position therepearance as illustrated in Fig. 8.

When received by the second recipient, all that is" necessary to open the envelope is to grasp the protruding ends 38 of tear strings 37, and pull the same upwardly and outwardly, thereby neatly severing the side flaps 24 and 32 from their respective panels 2 and 3', whereupon the letter sheet `can be folded open and will have the appearance thereof illustrated in plan view in Fig. 9. Here again, side ilaps 24' are cut off short of fold line 5 to facilitate grasping of the tear string ends 33.

Also, as in the embodiment of Figs. 1-4, if desired any suitable enclosure can be carried within the letter sheet when folded into envelope form, both for original mailing and for reply mailing.

The tear strings 35 and 37 can be conveniently provided by positioning a continuous U-shaped tear string on the letter sheet along fold lines 21', 23' and 25', and then shearing the same at fold line 4'. Obviously, a similar tear string arrangement could be provided on the letter sheet of Figs. 1-4. Thus, simple and inexpensive` While for convenience reference has been made pri? marily to return or reply mailing, I contemplate and it will be appreciated that the letter sheet of this invention also can be used as a forwarding envelope for remailing to one other than the original sender.

Accordingly, it is seen that the letter sheetV of this invention fully accomplishes the aforesaid objects and while only certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in detail herein it will be appreciated that the invention is not necessarily limited to such embodiments which are susceptible of modification without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having fully disclosed and completely described my invention, together with its mode of operation, what I claim is:

1. In a reply letter sheet, a body panel, a window panel secured to said body panel along one edge thereof, and a return reply ap secured to said body panel along the opposite edge thereof, said return reply ap being folded against one face of said body panel and said window panel being folded thereover for original mailing, and said window panel being folded against said one face of said body panel and said return reply ap being folded thereover for return mailing, said window panel having anchor iiap means along the top and opposite side edges thereof, said body panel having anchor ap means along the opposite side edges thereof, rst tear string means along the top and opposite side edges of said window panel for severing said window panel anchor flap means to open said letter sheet after original mailing, Vand second tear string means along the opposite side edges of said body panel for severing said body panel anchor flap means to open said letter sheet after return mailing.

2. A reply letter sheet as set forth in claim 1, together with anchor flap means along the opposite side edges of said return reply flap for being severed by said second tear string means along the opposite side edges of said body panel.

window panel.

References Cited inthe le of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS Wasmus Aug. 6, 1912 Webster June 22, 1920 8 Tousey Mr. 8, 1921 McCoy Dec. 5, 1922 McCain Oct. 11, 1927 Guina Oct. 13, 1931 Palm Aug. 30, 1932 Johnson May 22, 1934 Hyman Aug. l0, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS France Oct. 4, 1905 France Dec. 16, 1953 

